AUSTRALIAN 0 Forest History SOCIETY Inc. Newsletter No. 51 January 2009 "… to advance historical understanding of human interactions with Australian forest and woodland environments." The Australian Forestry School Flag (designed and made by Ruth Lane Poole in 1927) Reference: Australian National University Archives: A3183, 1. Photo by Darren Boyd. (Taken from Uncommon Lives, National Archives of Australia. See p9.) Guest Editor: Fintán Ó Laighin [email protected] Newsletter Editor: Sue Feary [email protected] AFHS Address: PO Box 5128, KINGSTON ACT 2604 Web: www.foresthistory.org.au ISSN 1033-937 X Australian Forest History Society Inc. Newsletter No. 51, January 2009 2 REPORT OF THE 2008 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING b) Related to the above, there was the suggestion of from Kevin Frawley putting all the proceedings of the previous conferences on the website. Some of the proceedings The Society's Annual General Meeting was held in are now out of print, and this would make the papers Canberra on 25th November 2008. The following available as well as being a complete electronic committee members were elected for 2008-09: record. Brett Stubbs is to follow up to ascertain cost. President Brett Stubbs When some figures are available, this will be taken to Vice-President Jane Lennon the AFHS committee. Secretary Kevin Frawley Treasurer Fintán Ó Laighin Treasurer's Report Committee Paul Star, Stephen Legg, Peter Davies, The Treasurer presented the audited financial accounts Sue Feary and Tessa Bird for the 2007-08 financial year. The following matters The meeting co-opted John Dargavel to be an advisor to arose in discussion of the financial report: the AFHS in the ACT. a) The Society had a budget surplus buoyed by returns Juliana Lazzari was re-appointed Public Officer. The from the 2007 conference. The Treasurer specifically Public Officer must be an ACT resident as the society is acknowledged this in his report and the meeting incorporated in the ACT. recorded a Vote of Thanks to the New Zealand conference organisers. Stephen Bailey acts as honorary auditor for the society, which saves a substantial sum compared with paying an b) Production of another Occasional Paper could be accounting firm. In recognition of this, a small undertaken (John Dargavel offered to edit). honorarium is given to Stephen. The meeting resolved c) There was the possibility of funding some projects. that the Treasurer approach Stephen to be the auditor It was noted, however, that the proposal to place the for 2008-09. past conference proceedings on the society's website would be likely to use up a proportion of the funds. President's Report d) The Treasurer also thanked and acknowledged The President, Brett Stubbs, circulated a written report Stephen Bailey for agreeing to be the society's auditor and spoke to the report. (Note : The full report is included on a voluntary basis. after Kevin Frawley's summary.) Particular reference was The Treasurer is to follow up an outstanding ACT made to the following: • Heritage Grant for the preparation of a management New Zealand conference 2007: A selection of papers has plan for Blundells Flat in the ACT. This project is been published in a special edition of Environment and overdue and the Society still holds funds for the project. History . • Lismore conference June 2010 : Organisation is underway The current annual subscription of $25 (Australia) / for the 8th AFHS conference. The steering $15 student / A$30 (overseas) is to be maintained. committee is Brett Stubbs, Jane Lennon, John Taylor and Alison Specht. Other Business • Newsletter publication: The President thanked Sue Feary (a) Update on newsletter publication for her effort in co-ordinating and producing newsletters and reiterated her request for volunteers Sue Feary is to continue the editor's role, but the need to produce editions of the newsletter. for guest editors remains. • Society website : The President acknowledged the work (b) 2010 AFHS conference of Michael Goasdoue in maintaining the site and Given the location of the next conference (Lismore presented usage data. • 2010) the Australian Furniture History Society could be 20th anniversary celebrations: The President referred to interested and there was the possibility of a joint session. the symposium at the Australian National University John Dargavel suggested that the AFHS invite (ANU) in May 2008 and the special 50th edition of collaboration at the conference. Brett Stubbs agreed to the newsletter. make contact. • Administration: The President thanked those involved with the administration of the society. The following matters arose in discussion of the President's report: a) New Zealand conference 2007: Some papers have been published in Environment and History , but it was questioned whether the other conference papers could be placed on the AFHS website (in pdf format). Brett Stubbs will follow this up. Australian Forest History Society Inc. Newsletter No. 51, January 2009 3 AGM - PRESIDENT 'S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE I also take this opportunity to re-thank all those YEAR TO 30 TH JUNE 2008 members who have compiled newsletters since the Guest from Brett Stubbs Editor system was implemented in 2002. Until the end of the financial year under review, eighteen newsletters The Society's activities during the financial year 2007-08 had been produced under this system. The Guest mainly concerned: (i) the finalisation of matters Editors have been: Peter Davies (3), Fintán Ó Laighin (3, associated with the last conference in 2007; (ii) planning including one in partnership), Brett Stubbs (2), Stephen for the next conference in 2010; (iii) the regular activity Legg, Sybil Jack, Denise Gaughwin, Paul Star, Peter of newsletter publication; (iv) the continued development Evans, John Dargavel, John Taylor, Mike Roche, Kim and maintenance of the Society's website; (v) the Wells, Juliana Lazzari, and Sue Feary (in addition to her celebration of the Society's twentieth anniversary; and supervisory responsibility). (vi) general administration. 4. Society Website 1. New Zealand Conference, Christchurch, 29th January-2nd February 2007 The Society's website ( www.foresthistory.org.au ) was established and became active in June 2006 to facilitate The Trans-Tasman Forest History Conference, the organisation of the Christchurch conference. It will society's seventh conference, was held in New Zealand serve a similar function for the next conference, but its from 29th January to 2nd February 2007. As I role has also become much wider. For example, it is now mentioned in my last annual report, arrangements were the repository for digital copies of all of the Society's made by the conference organising committee with the newsletters, and new editions are uploaded to the site as publishers of Environment and History for a selection of they are published. I acknowledge the continued work of papers from the conference to be published as a special our webmaster, Michael Goasdoue, in maintaining the edition of that journal. The special edition appeared in site. Usage of the website has increased steadily and very November 2008. Much activity within the Society during satisfactorily since June 2006. Of particular interest is the the year under review was concerned with the fact that about 30 percent of activity on the site during preparation of seven articles for this publication. On October 2008, a typical month, was by visitors from behalf of the editorial committee which oversaw the Australia, and a considerably greater 55 percent process (Paul Star, Mike Roche and myself) I offer my originated in the United States of America. special thanks to the numerous individuals who gave their services as referees, and to the editor and publishers of Environment and History who supported the idea. 5. Twentieth Anniversary Celebrations In May 2008, a symposium on forest and environmental 2. Lismore Conference, June 2010 history was convened to celebrate the Society's twentieth anniversary, and more specifically to celebrate twenty The organising committee for the eighth AFHS years of collaboration between the Society and the conference (Jane Lennon, John Taylor, Alison Specht, ANU's Department of Forestry and its successors. A and myself) has continued to make preliminary detailed report of this event was published in our June arrangements for this event, to be held in Lismore, newsletter. Also in the name of celebration, our 50th northern NSW, in 2010. Dates for the event have been newsletter was a special edition, compiled by Sue Feary, set, and these were published in the Society's September to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the newsletter, and simultaneously on the Society's website. Society. This appeared after the end of the financial year, The dates are Monday 7th to Friday 11th June 2010, in September 2008, and included articles about the followed by a study tour in north-eastern NSW and origins of the Society, written by founding members. south-eastern Queensland. Thanks are extended to all those who contributed to this special issue. 3. Newsletter Publication The system of having Guest Editors prepare newsletters, 6. Administration under the overall guidance and co-ordination of a "Series It will be clear from the foregoing that the successful Editor", has been continued. Sue Feary again undertook continuation of the Society is due to the good work of the co-ordinating role. Three newsletters were published many people. Some particular contributions have already during the financial year (September 2007 - Kim Wells; been acknowledged, but in addition it must be January 2008 - Sue Feary; and June 2008 - Fintán recognised that much of the less glamorous general Ó Laighin and Juliana Lazzari). I note that as well as administration of the Society, is undertaken by Treasurer, undertaking the co-ordinating role, Sue Feary also Fintán Ó Laighin, and Secretary, Kevin Frawley. Their compiled the January 2008 newsletter, an indication that efforts, in their respective official roles, are also greatly the Guest Editor system is not working as well as it valued.